I also don't think pre-dawn deadheads are in the mix just to have a train move over tracks that have been idle overnight. From what I understand, deadhead moves are due to either inadequate layover space, the need to keep sets in the city for overnight maintenance, or for crew considerations (can't have a crew start and end their day at different places). I've never heard of using a deadhead train as a de facto inspection service.

dbperry wrote:With four sets 'trapped' at the Ballard layover, why couldn't that equipment be routed through the Lawrence Yard and sent around the derailed train on those yard leads? I understand that couldn't have been done with passengers aboard, and it might have even required a PAR pilot, but wouldn't that have been better than leaving them stranded all day?

Our trains can pass through the yard with no pilot and no passengers. The point where the yard and the main goes back to single track was the place of the derailment(CPF-FRYE), so there was no way to move anything west of Lawrence Yard. The train traveled some distance before it stopped. The new interlocking CPF-JK is partially in service, signals work on all tracks but the only Track 2 to yard is operable for crossovers.

And to clear somethings up. The speed there is 60 and this train was doing track speed. This is a scheduled train(#3701) and is to fill a void in Bradford due to space. There are no overnight or early AM track inspections, ALL track patrols are done during the day BETWEEN AM and PM rush hours.

sery2831 wrote: The point where the yard and the main goes back to single track was the place of the derailment(CPF-FRYE), so there was no way to move anything west of Lawrence Yard. The train traveled some distance before it stopped.

Do I understand correctly that the broken rail derailed the cars somewhere around (B&M) MP 23.6 (west of Frye)? They stopped (per photos and my track chart) very close to MP 25. So the half-derailed train passed one, maybe two road underpasses, the Shawsheen depot, the Shawsheen River fill and culvert, the I-495 overpass and the So. Union St. overpass. Lot of close clearances, considerable potential for a much worse accident. Has anyone reported where the train was put into emergency?